Fruit Fuel Fertilizer

   I have been using 16-8-24 Fruit Fuet Fertilizer from on my pot grown SDC(Super Dwarf Cavendish) and it has been showing much bigger leaves since I have been using it.  The only other change I made about the same time was to move my Caven from a 16 Gallon to a 21 Gallon pot.   So this could have some bearing on growth as well.   Never the less the Fruit Fuel got my SDC through the shock process very well with just the loss of five older leafs over a period of a couple weeks. 

My 21 gallon pot grown SDC is currently putting out 23" leafs.

 
      The Pups(new starts) that stayed with "Caven" during the move from the 16 Gallon to the 21 gallon did not skip a beat and kept on growing without any interruption.   I was introduced to Fruit Fuel at Bananas.org.

My Plant Information:	Super Dwarf Cavendish
Lighting:	4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent
Light hours:	14 On - 10 Off
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel	Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micronutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without overstimulating the plant to bloom out of season.
Soil:	Standard potting soil - Without water retainers
Container Pot:	Smaller 16.32 gallons - 11" deep by 18" width swapped for a new 21.4 gallon pot 22" avg. width, 13" deep
Pest Control:	Safer Insect Killing Soap, Diatomaceous earth
Walk in plant closet:	7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and a ceiling ventilation fan.
My Indoor Temps:	Low 60(Winter) - Average 65-75 - High 80(Summer)
Hardiness Zone:	8b Northwest Oregon Southern Willamette Valley, USA
Paul's Banana Plantation	All of my Cavendish's baby pictures to an adult are here.

Fruit Fuel Fertilizer for my Banana's

 ~ I will be getting some Fruit Fuel fertilizer for my banana's from Plants That Produce.  It is already on its way.  I look forward to trying Fruit Fuel on my SDC banana plant to see if it will help them fruit this summer.

~UPDATE 1-24-12: The Fruit Fuel fertilizer from Plants That Produce was delivered today. Delivery was very prompt.

 ~ There is a post that discusses Fruit Fuel in the Bananas.org in a Fruit Fuel fertilizer thread.

Plant Information:	Super Dwarf Cavendish
Lighting:	4 ft. 6 tube - T-5 6400k High output fluorescent
Light hours:	14 On - 10 Off
Soil Release Fertilizer:	~ Dr. Earth 6-4-6 tropical - Now using for general plant soil revitalization of depleted soil. I no longer plan to use on my bananas
Soluble Fertilizer:	Miracle Grow 24-8-16 - One tsp. to One Gallon
Grow More 16-8-24 Fruit Fuel	~ Premium Fruit Formula for application throughout the growing season. Contains full-spectrum of secondary and micronutrients utilized by fruiting plants. Provides plants with a steady dosage of potash for use during present cycle of fruit production or storage for next year's crop. Lower Nitrogen to Potassium ratio to discourage flower and fruit drop. Sufficient Phosphate level for excellent performance without overstimulating the plant to bloom out of season.
Soil:	~ Standard potting soil - Drainage not ideal
Container Pot:	~ 16.32 gallons - 12" deep by 20" width - Looking for a larger pot.
Pest Control:	~ Insecticidal soap, Diatomaceous earth
Walk in plant closet:	7' x 4'-6" - With curtain and circulation fan.
Temperature:	Low 65 - Average 70-75 - High 80

Leaf #15,

 ~ The 15 leaf is at 13.5" x 7.5" is another handsome one.  I rather like these last two larger leaves Caven has rolled out.  I am pleased how he has continued to grow in our second walk in closet that we set up for him.  

 ~  So far, even though temperatures are cooling a bit, the room seems to be staying between 70-75F with the 4' six tube 6400K T5 grow light fixture.  I have them on a timer so Caven is getting 12 hours of light daily.  This week I added some reflective foil on the back for light reflection.  It looks better than the wall behind it too.  

 ~ There has been no measurable Height or Circumference (8.5"H x 6.5"C) change with this new leaf.  Caven sure is going to be a short and stocky guy, just like me ;) 

Leaf #15 unfurled with leafroll 16 showing

 ~  I bought some Dr. Earth 6-4-6 Palm, Tropical & Hibiscus Fertilizer a while back.  Since every tropical plant but a Banana Trees is discussed on the box, I have emailed the company to see what they suggest for a serving size for my currently indoor SDC Banana Tree in a 10 gallon pot that has just put out its second 13" leaf under 4' T5 lighting to keep the plant actively growing past our now ending summer season. The SDC seems undeterred in his growth since I have brought him in.

 ~ I got a fast reply from Dr. Earth recommending: "Paul: Thank you for your inquiry. It is our recommendation that you feed the plant every other month. Two tablespoons for every 6" inches of pot diameter or 1/2 cup per five gallons of soil which would be about 1/2 cubic foot. Thank you for your inquiry and have a great week!"

~ These instruction ARE on the box but I am pleased to have a specific recommendation for the plant I am feeding.  It has not been time to feed him yet and I have been wanting the top soil to dry a bit to discourage Gnats. I have been bottom watering to let the top soil dry a bit, but it still get plenty moist.  But in order to fertilize I will have to give Caven a good top watering to help the nutrients get down into the soil. Since the diameter of Caven's pot averages 19" according to Dr Earths recommendation I would divide 19" by 6 which gives me an answer of about 3. So 2 TBSP x 3 = 6 TBSP of plant food evenly on the top soil. This would also be about Caven's drip line as according to some instruction you would fertilize within a plants drip line, which seems logical a this is where also where a plants roots would be.

~ I fed Caven 5TBSB of the Dr. Earth plant food (6 TBSP looked like a lot and I do not want to burn Caven's little roots. :) I watered him from the top with a gallon or so of water. So Caven should be good on plant food for the next 2 months.

 ~ The Gnats I had are none in sight. I am happy to have them under control.  I hope now that I have top watered him again though that I do not end up with Gnats once again.

Spreadsheet Records Logbook Growth Details with Links and Banana Plant Terms

Banana Photo Album (All photos) Caven's Baby Picture Album

Paul's Blog Spots (All my blogs) A contents list for all of my blogs.

Shopping for Cavendish

  ~ Kathy and I went to Jerry's building materials and bought some 6-4-6 Dr. Earth Organic Palm and Tropical plant food  (4 lbs for 8.99) and a drip saucer for his 10 gallon pot. I will feed him in a few weeks as I have already fed him.

 ~ Now that the weather is cooling down I have brought Cavendish in for the winter. His 12th leaf roll is ready to unfurl.

 ~ Caven is settled in to his indoor location with a 4' ft. 6 tube T5 light fixture to help lengthen out his growing season. This will be his main source of light. For now, until I read differently I am giving him a 12 hours on and 12 hours off cycle.

Spreadsheet Records Logbook Growth Details with Links and Banana Plant Terms

Banana Photo Album (All photos) Cavens Baby Picture Album

Pauls Blog Spots (All my blogs) A contents list for all of my blogs.